The Kofu Local Meteorological Observatory announced the opening of Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms in Kofu City in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, on March 16, 2026. This is the earliest recorded flowering since observations began in 1953.
Release of 2026 Cherry Blossom Forecast (9th forecast): https://n-kishou.com/corp/news-contents/sakura/?lang=en
Kofu Station, Kofu, Yamanashi, 3/14/2026
Somei-Yoshino: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prunus_%C3%97_yedoensis
Yet, the air is still cold in the morning. There was ice on the surface of the reservoir in Kotogawa Dam in Yamanashi City.
Kotogawa Dam: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kotogawa_Dam
Kotogawa Dam, Kitabara, Makioka Cho, Yamanashi City, Yamanashi, 3/14/2026
Views of Gojoiwa and Mount Kinpu from Kotogawa Dam, Makioka Cho, Yamanashi City, Yamanashi, 3/14/2026